A Libertarian Perspective on Republicans

By Randy Simmons, political scientist, Libertarian, and mayor of Providence

My immediate response to the question of whether moderates are welcome in the Republican Party is to ask, "Which Republican party?"

Republicans have so lost their way at the national level that it is hard to know if they stand for anything. They have become a big government party so their only argument with the Democrats is about how big government should be.

Republicans want a big government (look at the TARP vote in the Senate for example) and Democrats want a bigger one. ... Of course there are a few individuals who are not in this mold-Mike Pence of Indiana, Jeff Flake of Arizona, and Rob Bishop of Utah come to mind. ...